Cedric let out a breathy chuckle. “About me. You knew what I was before I did. Or, rather, knew what I was not.”
“I didn’tknow-know. I just . . . suspected correctly.”
“I refused to see it for a long time. And even when I did see it, I refused to acknowledge it.”
“I understand what that’s like,” Elyria admitted. “And I hopeyouknow that you are not alone in this.” She laced her fingers through his. “You never have to be again.”
“And you’re okay with that?”
She released a long breath. “Honestly? I’m not entirely sure how I feel about it.” At the way Cedric’s brows jumped up his forehead, she was quick to add, “No, dummy. Not about you and me. Just about—I don’t know. I can’t say I love the idea that we were only drawn together because of the magic in us. That it was something else—someone else—behind thattug.”
“Who says it’s the only reason? Even if I had never felt that pull...From the moment you put me in my place outside Castle Lumin, I don’t think I had a chance in all four hells of not falling for you, Trouble.”
Elyria smiled. “You certainly talk a good game, Your Highness.”
He groaned again. “You stop that right now.”
“I like the other things you do with that mouth too.”
Cedric propped himself up on one elbow, looking down at her. “I’d be more than happy to give you another demonstration. That’s why I came to find you, in fact. Young Shep says our room is ready.”
“Bold to assume just the one room for us.”
“Is it? Everyone saw the literal proof of our bond glowing in their faces. Unless you are sick of me already.” He said the words in jest, but Elyria could feel the tiniest pang of insecurity behind them.
“Not a chance.”
“There they are!”exclaimed Thraigg, lifting his tankard in toast as Cedric and Elyria approached the little tavern table where so many truths had been spilled earlier that day.
“Here we are,” said Elyria, leaning over and snagging the cup right out of his dwarven hands, taking a long drag.
“Hey!” he protested, eliciting hoots of laughter from Ollie, Jocelyn, and Shep around the table.
“I heard we’re to experience some of that Elderglade hospitality forourselves,” Elyria said, winking at Thraigg as she returned his drink.
The dwarf harrumphed but nodded. “Aye, and I daresay ye’ll find it hospitable indeed. Something about the linens on the beds here, I swear to?—”
“Does anybody else feel that?” Ollie interrupted, cocking his head, his brow suddenly creased.
Elyria felt it too. A flicker. A ripple in the light. The space right above the center of the table looked suddenly hazy, as though it was becoming solid before their eyes.
“What is—” Cedric started to ask, but before he’d even had the chance to get the full question out, a swirl of black smoke formed in midair.
Everyone at the table stood, stepping back as the darkness lengthened, layering on top of itself until it formed a small strip of shadow that drifted down to the table like paper floating in the breeze.
Nobody moved at first. Nobody touched it. And then, Elyria stepped forward, reaching for the small black strip with slightly trembling fingers.
Her shoulders relaxed as she recognized the handwriting. Then, she tensed all over again as she read the message.
“What?” Cedric said, alarm in his voice as he drew up right beside Elyria. “What is it?”
“It’s a message from Kingshelm,” Elyria said, the words shaky. “I don’t know how they managed it, but Nox must have figured out a way to get this to us.”
She handed the slip to the knight, who read it aloud for the rest of the group. “ ‘We have the crown. Cannot say more. Not safe. Come back. Come now.’ ”
Silence followed, heavy and tense. And then it broke all at once.
“They have the crown?”
